scholarly journals Structural analysis of the DNA-binding domain of alternatively spliced steroid receptors

2002 ◽  
Vol 173 (3) ◽  
pp. 429-436 ◽  
Author(s):  
L Wickert ◽  
J Selbig
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
Dna Binding ◽  
Splice Variants ◽  
Steroid Receptor ◽  
Binding Domain ◽  
Dna Binding Domain ◽  
Amino Acid Residues ◽  
Receptor Function ◽  
Alternatively Spliced

We have generated 24 DNA-binding domain structure models of alternatively spliced or mutated steroid receptor variants by homology-based modeling. Members of the steroid receptor family dispose of a DNA-binding domain which is built from two zinc fingers with a preserved sequence homology of about 90%. Data from crystallographic analysis of the glucocorticoid receptor DNA-binding domain are therefore appropriate to serve as a template structure. We inserted or deleted amino acid residues in order to study the structural details of the glucocorticoid, mineralocorticoid, and androgen receptor splice variants. The receptor variants are created by QUANTA- and MODELLER-based modeling. Subsequently, the resulting energy-minimized models were compared with each other and with the wild-type receptor respectively. A prediction for the receptor function based mainly on the preservation or destruction of secondary structures has been carried out. The simulations showed that amino acid insertions of one, four or nine additional residues of existing steroid receptor splice variants were tolerated without destruction of the secondary structure. In contrast, a deletion of four amino acids at the splice site junction leads to modifications in the secondary structure of the DNA-recognition helix which apparently disturb the receptor-DNA interaction. Furthermore, an insertion of 23 amino acid residues between the zinc finger of the androgen receptor leads to a large loop with an additional alpha-helical structure which seems to disconnect a specific contact from its hormone response element. Thereafter, the prediction of receptor function based on the molecular models was compared with the available experimental results from the in vitro function tests. We obtained a close correspondence between the molecular modeling-based predictions and the conclusions of receptor function drawn from in vitro studies.

scholarly journals Functional and conserved domains of the Drosophila transcription factor encoded by the segmentation gene knirps

1994 ◽  
Vol 14 (12) ◽  
pp. 7899-7908
Author(s):  
N Gerwin ◽  
A La Rosée ◽  
F Sauer ◽  
H P Halbritter ◽  
M Neumann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Transcription Factor ◽  
Amino Acid ◽  
Dna Binding ◽  
Broad Band ◽  
Binding Domain ◽  
Orphan Receptor ◽  
Dna Binding Domain ◽  
Coding Region ◽  
Amino Acid Region

The Drosophila gap gene knirps (kni) is required for abdominal segmentation. It encodes a steroid/thyroid orphan receptor-type transcription factor which is distributed in a broad band of nuclei in the posterior region of the blastoderm. To identify essential domains of the kni protein (KNI), we cloned and sequenced the DNA encompassing the coding region of nine kni mutant alleles of different strength and kni-homologous genes of related insect species. We also examined in vitro-modified versions of KNI in various assay systems both in vitro and in tissue culture. The results show that KNI contains several functional domains which are arranged in a modular fashion. The N-terminal 185-amino-acid region which includes the DNA-binding domain and a functional nuclear location signal fails to provide kni activity to the embryo. However, a truncated KNI protein that contains additional 47 amino acids exerts rather strong kni activity which is functionally defined by a weak kni mutant phenotype of the embryo. The additional 47-amino-acid stretch includes a transcriptional repressor domain which acts in the context of a heterologous DNA-binding domain of the yeast transcriptional activator GAL4. The different domains of KNI as defined by functional studies are conserved during insect evolution.

Synthesis of an enzymatically active FLP recombinase in vitro: search for a DNA-binding domain

1989 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 1987-1995
Author(s):  
A A Amin ◽  
P D Sadowski
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
Dna Binding ◽  
In Vitro Transcription ◽  
Binding Activity ◽  
Binding Domain ◽  
Translation System ◽  
Dna Binding Domain ◽  
Amino Terminal ◽  
Dna Binding Activity

We have used an in vitro transcription and translation system to synthesize an enzymatically active FLP protein. The FLP mRNA synthesized in vitro by SP6 polymerase is translated efficiently in a rabbit reticulocyte lysate to produce enzymatically active FLP. Using this system, we assessed the effect of deletions and tetrapeptide insertions on the ability of the respective variant proteins synthesized in vitro to bind to the FLP recognition target site and to carry out excisive recombination. Deletions of as few as six amino acids from either the carboxy- or amino-terminal region of FLP resulted in loss of binding activity. Likewise, insertions at amino acid positions 79, 203, and 286 abolished DNA-binding activity. On the other hand, a protein with an insertion at amino acid 364 retained significant DNA-binding activity but had no detectable recombination activity. Also, an insertion at amino acid 115 had no measurable effect on DNA binding, but recombination was reduced by 95%. In addition, an insertion at amino acid 411 had no effect on DNA binding and recombination. On the basis of these results, we conclude that this approach fails to define a discrete DNA-binding domain. The possible reasons for this result are discussed.

scholarly journals The TATA-Binding Protein (TBP) from the Human Fungal PathogenCandida albicans Can Complement Defects in Human and Yeast TBPs

1998 ◽  
Vol 180 (7) ◽  
pp. 1771-1776 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ping Leng ◽  
Philip E. Carter ◽  
Alistair J. P. Brown
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
Dna Binding ◽  
Transcription Initiation ◽  
Binding Protein ◽  
Tata Binding Protein ◽  
Binding Domain ◽  
Amino Acid Sequences ◽  
Initiation Factor ◽  
Dna Binding Domain

ABSTRACT Candida albicans is the major fungal pathogen in humans, yet little is known about transcriptional regulation in this organism. Therefore, we have isolated, characterized, and expressed theC. albicans TATA-binding protein (TBP) gene (TBP1), because this general transcription initiation factor plays a key role in the activation and regulation of eukaryotic promoters. Southern and Northern blot analyses suggest that a single C. albicans TBP1 locus is expressed at similar levels in the yeast and hyphal forms of this fungus. The TBP1 open reading frame is 716 bp long and encodes a functional TBP of 27 kDa. C. albicans TBP is capable of binding specifically to a TATA box in vitro, substituting for the human TBP to activate basal transcription in vitro, and suppressing the lethal Δspt15 mutation inSaccharomyces cerevisiae. The predicted amino acid sequences of TBPs from C. albicans and other organisms reveal a striking pattern of C-terminal conservation and N-terminal variability: the C-terminal DNA-binding domain displays at least 80% amino acid sequence identity to TBPs from fungi, flies, nematodes, slime molds, plants, and humans. Sequence differences between human and fungal TPBs in the DNA-binding domain may represent potential targets for antifungal therapy.

scholarly journals Synthesis of an enzymatically active FLP recombinase in vitro: search for a DNA-binding domain.

1989 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 1987-1995 ◽  
Author(s):  
A A Amin ◽  
P D Sadowski
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
Dna Binding ◽  
In Vitro Transcription ◽  
Binding Activity ◽  
Binding Domain ◽  
Translation System ◽  
Dna Binding Domain ◽  
Amino Terminal ◽  
Dna Binding Activity

We have used an in vitro transcription and translation system to synthesize an enzymatically active FLP protein. The FLP mRNA synthesized in vitro by SP6 polymerase is translated efficiently in a rabbit reticulocyte lysate to produce enzymatically active FLP. Using this system, we assessed the effect of deletions and tetrapeptide insertions on the ability of the respective variant proteins synthesized in vitro to bind to the FLP recognition target site and to carry out excisive recombination. Deletions of as few as six amino acids from either the carboxy- or amino-terminal region of FLP resulted in loss of binding activity. Likewise, insertions at amino acid positions 79, 203, and 286 abolished DNA-binding activity. On the other hand, a protein with an insertion at amino acid 364 retained significant DNA-binding activity but had no detectable recombination activity. Also, an insertion at amino acid 115 had no measurable effect on DNA binding, but recombination was reduced by 95%. In addition, an insertion at amino acid 411 had no effect on DNA binding and recombination. On the basis of these results, we conclude that this approach fails to define a discrete DNA-binding domain. The possible reasons for this result are discussed.

scholarly journals Functional and conserved domains of the Drosophila transcription factor encoded by the segmentation gene knirps.

1994 ◽  
Vol 14 (12) ◽  
pp. 7899-7908 ◽  
Author(s):  
N Gerwin ◽  
A La Rosée ◽  
F Sauer ◽  
H P Halbritter ◽  
M Neumann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Transcription Factor ◽  
Amino Acid ◽  
Dna Binding ◽  
Broad Band ◽  
Binding Domain ◽  
Orphan Receptor ◽  
Dna Binding Domain ◽  
Coding Region ◽  
Amino Acid Region

The Drosophila gap gene knirps (kni) is required for abdominal segmentation. It encodes a steroid/thyroid orphan receptor-type transcription factor which is distributed in a broad band of nuclei in the posterior region of the blastoderm. To identify essential domains of the kni protein (KNI), we cloned and sequenced the DNA encompassing the coding region of nine kni mutant alleles of different strength and kni-homologous genes of related insect species. We also examined in vitro-modified versions of KNI in various assay systems both in vitro and in tissue culture. The results show that KNI contains several functional domains which are arranged in a modular fashion. The N-terminal 185-amino-acid region which includes the DNA-binding domain and a functional nuclear location signal fails to provide kni activity to the embryo. However, a truncated KNI protein that contains additional 47 amino acids exerts rather strong kni activity which is functionally defined by a weak kni mutant phenotype of the embryo. The additional 47-amino-acid stretch includes a transcriptional repressor domain which acts in the context of a heterologous DNA-binding domain of the yeast transcriptional activator GAL4. The different domains of KNI as defined by functional studies are conserved during insect evolution.

scholarly journals The C6 zinc finger and adjacent amino acids determine DNA-binding specificity and affinity in the yeast activator proteins LAC9 and PPR1.

1990 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 5128-5137 ◽  
Author(s):  
M M Witte ◽  
R C Dickson
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Amino Acid ◽  
Dna Binding ◽  
Zinc Finger ◽  
Binding Specificity ◽  
Binding Domain ◽  
Dna Binding Domain ◽  
Transcription Activator ◽  
Activator Proteins ◽  
Dna Binding Specificity

LAC9 is a DNA-binding protein that regulates transcription of the lactose-galactose regulon in Kluyveromyces lactis. The DNA-binding domain is composed of a zinc finger and nearby amino acids (M. M. Witte and R. C. Dickson, Mol. Cell. Biol. 8:3726-3733, 1988). The single zinc finger appears to be structurally related to the zinc finger of many other fungal transcription activator proteins that contain positively charged residues and six conserved cysteines with the general form Cys-Xaa2-Cys-Xaa6-Cys-Xaa6-9-Cys-Xaa2-Cys-Xaa 6-Cys, where Xaan indicates a stretch of the indicated number of any amino acids (R. M. Evans and S. M. Hollenberg, Cell 52:1-3, 1988). The function(s) of the zinc finger and other amino acids in DNA-binding remains unclear. To determine which portion of the LAC9 DNA-binding domain mediates sequence recognition, we replaced the C6 zinc finger, amino acids adjacent to the carboxyl side of the zinc finger, or both with the analogous region from the Saccharomyces cerevisiae PPR1 or LEU3 protein. A chimeric LAC9 protein, LAC9(PPR1 34-61), carrying only the PPR1 zinc finger, retained the DNA-binding specificity of LAC9. However, LAC9(PPR1 34-75), carrying the PPR1 zinc finger and 14 amino acids on the carboxyl side of the zinc finger, gained the DNA-binding specificity of PPR1, indicating that these 14 amino acids are necessary for specific DNA binding. Our data show that C6 fingers can substitute for each other and allow DNA binding, but binding affinity is reduced. Thus, in a qualitative sense C6 fingers perform a similar function(s). However, the high-affinity binding required by natural C6 finger proteins demands a unique C6 finger with a specific amino acid sequence. This requirement may reflect conformational constraints, including interactions between the C6 finger and the carboxyl-adjacent amino acids; alternatively or in addition, it may indicate that unique, nonconserved amino acid residues in zinc fingers make sequence-specifying or stabilizing contacts with DNA.

Reconstitution of transcriptional activation domains by reiteration of short peptide segments reveals the modular organization of a glutamine-rich activation domain

1994 ◽  
Vol 14 (9) ◽  
pp. 6056-6067
Author(s):  
M Tanaka ◽  
W Herr
Keyword(s):  
Dna Binding ◽  
Transcriptional Activation ◽  
Binding Domain ◽  
Dna Binding Domain ◽  
Activation Domain ◽  
Activation Domains ◽  
Transcriptional Activation Domain ◽  
Pou Domain

The POU domain activator Oct-2 contains an N-terminal glutamine-rich transcriptional activation domain. An 18-amino-acid segment (Q18III) from this region reconstituted a fully functional activation domain when tandemly reiterated and fused to either the Oct-2 or GAL4 DNA-binding domain. A minimal transcriptional activation domain likely requires three tandem Q18III segments, because one or two tandem Q18III segments displayed little activity, whereas three to five tandem segments were active and displayed increasing activity with increasing copy number. As with natural Oct-2 activation domains, in our assay a reiterated activation domain required a second homologous or heterologous activation domain to stimulate transcription effectively when fused to the Oct-2 POU domain. These results suggest that there are different levels of synergy within and among activation domains. Analysis of reiterated activation domains containing mutated Q18III segments revealed that leucines and glutamines, but not serines or threonines, are critical for activity in vivo. Curiously, several reiterated activation domains that were inactive in vivo were active in vitro, suggesting that there are significant functional differences in our in vivo and in vitro assays. Reiteration of a second 18-amino-acid segment from the Oct-2 glutamine-rich activation domain (Q18II) was also active, but its activity was DNA-binding domain specific, because it was active when fused to the GAL4 than to the Oct-2 DNA-binding domain. The ability of separate short peptide segments derived from a single transcriptional activation domain to activate transcription after tandem reiteration emphasizes the flexible and modular nature of a transcriptional activation domain.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document